Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The editor of AfterElton.com, Michael Jensen spoke with Aussie Rugby Player (and Gay Ally) Nick Youngquest here's what he said about his career and friendship with out teammate Gareth Thomas.

Even before he struck up his public friendship with Gareth Thomas, many gay men were already aware of the very handsome Youngquest.

After all, the 26-year-old Australian has appeared in rather racy pictorials for not one, but three gay magazines – DNA in Australia, Attitude in the UK and the French magazine Têtu. And those weren’t even the first time Youngquest had stripped down, having first done so in 2006 for a charity calendar in Australia that raised funds for National Breast Cancer Foundation.

But it is Youngquest’s recent friendship with his Celtic Crusaders teammate Gareth Thomas – so humorously documented via their tweets – that has elevated Youngquest from just being a sex symbol for gay men to actually being an incredibly cool gay ally.

By showing he’s not only comfortable being admired by gay men, but in so publicly being “mates” with them, and even – gasp! – sharing a locker room with a real live gay rugby player, Youngquest has demonstrated that the homophobia of professional athletes like Australian rules footballer Jason Akermanis isn’t the only attitude in the sporting world.

AfterElton.com recently caught up with Youngquest via email to discuss being a gay sex symbol, how he came by his pro-gay attitudes and more.

AfterElton.com: How did you and Gareth meet?Nick Youngquest: Gareth and I met this year when he came to the club we both now play for called the Crusaders. I remember the first day he turned up and everybody was in awe of him because he is such a big deal in the rugby world, especially here in Wales!

AE: What did you first think when he came out?NY: I don’t actually remember hearing, “What about that guy coming out?” at the time and if I did would have thought “good on him.” I only found out he was gay when it was rumored he was coming to the club, and naturally because I have done gay magazines before, the boys were saying he was coming because he saw me on the front cover and this and that.

What he has done is so admirable and a decision I know now he is so glad he made. He is such a good guy and everyone in our squad loves having him here with us!

AE: Is he the first gay player you knew?NY: To be fair there are always rumors, but yeah, he is the first guy I have played with or against that is [openly] gay. There was Ian Roberts in our sport in Australia who came out, but I was fairly young back then! I’m pretty sure Gareth is the only gay person who is out still currently playing in their chosen sport and that’s a massive thing for him and the world in general. He is such a good role model to the world.

AE: Are you aware how important the fact your friendship with him is so public? That it's groundbreaking, in fact? You are really showing the world that a straight athlete can be mates with a gay one and it's no big deal.NY: In the big picture I do, but to me Alfie is a mate of mine, not because he is gay or anything else. He is such a good guy and since he arrived here he has done nothing but go over and above for everyone. He is so down to earth. I am happy that people can see that in sport being gay or straight or whatever doesn’t matter.

The world is such a fickle place sometimes and I am glad that myself and also Alfie are in a sport where our environment discriminates against nobody and that’s the honest truth. Although the jokes become very very funny at times!

AE: You seem incredibly cool with gay guys and very pro-gay. Where did you come by that attitude from?NY: Yeah, for sure I have no problems with it at all. I have a lot of friends that are gay and have never been different! My ex was a dancer and she had lots of gay friends and it was always something I enjoyed about our relationship that we have friends from all different walks of life.

My family also shaped me so I guess it stems from there also. Not that mum or dad said always be nice to gay people or whatever, but just to [be nice to] people in general so I take people for who they are. That’s a trait I am glad the instilled in me, that’s for sure.

AE: I'm assuming you support gay marriage?NY: I have never even thought about whether I do or don’t to be fair, so that has to be a yes. I don’t see any reason why two people who are in love can’t exchange vows and rings just as any other couple in the world. It’s not about being gay or straight when it comes to that. It’s about two people loving each other in my opinion!

AE: Even before Jason Akermanis spoke up, we knew not all athletes are gay supportive. Do other players ever give you a hard time about your attitudes?NY: No, not at all. I would have to say that there is obviously a very small minority of athletes who think like that and I feel very sorry for the ones that do. Most athletes have a mutual respect for each other, so it’s never been a problem. I obviously get given some stick about having been on gay mags before and all that, but that’s all in good fun, I can assure you that.

AE: What would you say to Jason about his recent comments if you were having a pint with him?NY: It’s one of those things he is speaking his opinion which is such a small percentage of the sport. He is so opinionated about everything so it doesn’t surprise me one bit the stuff he said. To be fair, the guy has blond peroxided hair with a dark goatee, so he clearly has no idea.

And if we were in Australia, we wouldn’t be having a pint, it would be a schooner and I would never be having one with such a small-minded person anyway, so I’m safe there!

AE: Like Ben Cohen and David Beckham, you're fine with being seen as a sex symbol to gay men. When did you first realize so many gay men found you attractive?NY: I have no problem with it at all, if they want to look at me that way that’s all good! I wish sometimes I got as much attention of the ladies as I do off the men to be honest, but it’s all good. The first time I realized it was after doing a calendar in Australia in ‘06 for breast cancer. It was a naked calendar and I think gay guys took a liking to it then. Flattering, but you can hardly put me in the same category as Cohen and Beckham though!

AE: How did the Têtu magazine appearance come about?NY: I was playing rugby in France at the time and they saw the DNA shoot I did in Australia and approached me to do Têtu. It was fun. Shame I can’t read the article in it though, mon français est très mal!

AE: What is it with rugby players so willing to get naked for charity calendars, like the Gods of the Stadium pics and for gay magazines?NY: Not sure to be honest, but to be fair, you won’t find many guys in rugby not willing to help out with charities and what not. They are all for great causes and if we can help raise awareness for anything, it’s great I think.

AE: Do your mates ever give you a hard time about your willingness to get your kit off?NY: Ha ha! Yeah, all the time. They’re always giving me a hard time. That’s all they have on me though, so it ain’t all that bad!

After taking in the festivities at the World Cup in South Africa, David Beckham makes a smooth landing in Nice, France, Tuesday, where the footballer will meet up with his wife, Victoria, and kids, who have already arrived for vacation.

The real danger on the set of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse didn't involve vampires or werewolves. It was all the flying saliva.

"We're always like an inch away from each other's faces, screaming at each other, spitting at each other in the face. It gets a little awkward," Taylor Lautner said of costar Robert Pattinson at Monday's Cinema Society and Piaget-hosted screening of their latest Twilight film in New York.

Did Pattinson have to duck any major projectiles? "Not anything super dramatic," Lautner says, "but I'm sure he caught a couple splats."

Shouting at each other doesn't come naturally for two guys who don't, in real life, despise each other. And so, the scenes often veer into laughter. "Rob and I ruin a lot of takes," Lautner admits. "It's hard to keep a straight face, because we actually like each other. So, it's pretty funny."

With Pattinson filming Water for Elephants, Lautner, 18, was joined at the screening by costar Kristen Stewart, 20. Both actors said they've been enjoying some relatively quiet time recently.

Lautner said he's been following the World Cup – "I was rooting for the U.S., and that was a bummer," he says – while Stewart has been indulging her passion for music and cooking. "I'm fairly obsessed with [indie rocker] Jenny Lewis right now," she admits. "I'm in a state of grief because I'm missing her show in L.A."

But the cooking is going well – and it sounds like Stewart is being resourceful. "I like making pies," she says. "I have a bunch of fruit trees in my backyard. My loquat tree sprouted, and I like making loquat pie. They're really hard to peel and everything, and it took me forever, but they make the best pies. They're amazing."

When the reality show returns to Lifetime July 29th for its eighth season, each episode will be 90 minutes long, according to an AP report. That’s 30 more minutes of fashion — and drama.

“We did get always a few complaints from people that they wanted to see a little bit more, which we were obviously very excited about,” host Heidi Klum says. “So now we have half an hour more.”

The show, which spent season 6 in Los Angeles, will stick to New York City but will air an hour earlier at 9:00 pm (ET).

But one thing’s going to stay the same — it’s all about the competition. Up-and-coming designers with dreams of showing collections at New York Fashion Week will demonstrate their creative aesthetic — and haute personalities — in challenges judged by Klum and her panel of judges. The last designer standing will receive a $100,000 prize to launch a clothing line and a fashion spread in Marie Claire.

“We are not like other shows where we are styling them to look a certain way or feeding them lines,” Klum says. “It’s all real, and people like that.”

Actress Barbara Eden , famed for her starring role in the hit 1960s TV series "I Dream of Jeannie," is writing a tell-all memoir about her career in Hollywood, The Crown Publishing Group said on Tuesday.

The memoir, called "Jeannie out of the Bottle," will be published next year, detailing Eden's on and off-screen life with celebrities including Elvis Presley , Warren Beatty , Clint Eastwood , Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe , Lucille Ball and her "Jeannie" co-star Larry Hagman.

"Like Jeannie, I've been bottled up long enough -- it's time for me to pop the cork and talk about the amazing people I've been fortunate enough to meet along the way, and the highs and lows of my every day living," Eden said in a statement.

The 75 year-old Arizona-born actress gained stardom from the TV show playing the beautiful 2000-year-old female genie who falls in love with an astronaut, played by Hagman.

The series aired between 1965 and 1970 and produced 139 episodes and has been widely rerun on cable TV and in syndication throughout the world.

Eden has also appeared regularly on stage in musicals and plays as well as films and guest appearances in other television shows.

After 25 years on the air, Larry King says it's time "to hang up my nightly suspenders."

The talk show, 67, host said Tuesday he'll end his run on Larry King Live in the fall but will remain with CNN for occasional specials, "giving me more time for my wife and I to get to the kids' little league games."

"With this chapter closing I'm looking forward to the future and what my next chapter will bring," says King.

A replacement for King's 9:00 pm (ET) slot will be made "in the weeks ahead," according to CNN.

"Larry King defined the art of the television interview," CNN says in a statement. "His candor, curiosity and compassion are legendary, and his ability to interview people from all walks of life – world leaders, celebrities and everyday people – has made him an icon."

King is stepping down during what he's called a "difficult time" in his marriage to Shawn Southwick King, 50.

They were involved in divorce proceedings but reconciled a week later. Then in May, his wife, who has a history of painkiller addiction, was found with empty pill bottles strewn on her bed in a possible suicide attempt.

Nope, she's not pregnant – she just plays it on TV! Katie Holmes dons a prosthetic baby bump as Jacqueline Kennedy on Monday while filming her History Channel miniseries, The Kennedys, in Ontario, Canada.

The list – determined by a celebrity's earnings and fame – placed Avatar director James Cameron, who pocketed $210 million, at the No. 3 ranking. Lady Gaga and Tiger Woods rounded out the top five.

It was also a good year for Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift, who jumped up to No. 12 from 69, and Twilight stars Robert Pattinson (No. 50) and Kristen Stewart (No. 66). The popular franchise also helped author Stephenie Meyer earn a No. 59 ranking.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Either Thomas Jane was hungry for some attention or he really longed to flex his toes on the red carpet. The actor sported a pair of eye-catching athletic shoes at the second-season premiere of his HBO series, Hung.

While we can't bedgrudge Jane's desire for comfort, his choice of shoe is more than a little bizarre. The rest of the look is so very clean—maybe the footwear would have looked a little more appropriate paired with biker shorts and an oversized athletic tank top. Go hard or go home, as they say.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have built a large family, and despite the rumors, it's not likely to get too much bigger – as the actress is concerned about having enough time for each child as they grow up.

Asked if she and Pitt want a seventh child, Jolie, 35, tells Vanity Fair: "We're not opposed to it. But we want to make sure we can give everybody special time."

It's easy when they're small, she says, and don't require much emotional support. But as they get older, "they're going to need a lot more talking in the middle of the night, like I did with my mom for hours. We want to make sure we don't build a family so big that we don't have absolutely enough time to raise them each really well."

The children's personalities are all blooming, Jolie says – particularly Shiloh, who turned 4 last month and seems to be taking her cues from big brothers Maddox and Pax. "She likes to dress like a boy. She wants to be a boy," Jolie says. "So, we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boys' everything. She thinks she's one of the brothers."

Among the other kids, Maddox is the intellectual, while Zahara has "an extraordinary voice and is just so elegant and well spoken." And the twins, Knox and Vivienne, who will turn 2 next month, "are classic boy and girl," Jolie says. "She's really female. And he's really a little dude."

While family has clearly become Jolie's top priority, acting has become a secondary pursuit – one she might give up entirely in the not-too-distant future. "I don't think I'll do it much longer," she says. "Because I have a happy home. ... I got back from work last night, and everybody was playing music and dancing, and I suddenly found myself dancing around with a bunch of little fun crazy people."

And what about finally getting married to Pitt, 46, her longtime partner? Also not an issue on the front burner. They're not against it, Jolie says, but "it's just like we already are. Children are clearly a commitment, a bigger commitment [than marriage]. It's for life."

Joran van der Sloot's request to retract his confession to last month's murder of Peruvian business student Stephany Flores has been termed "baseless" – and has been denied by a court in Lima, say reports.

The attorney for the Dutch murder suspect, 22, had claimed that his client's statement confessing to the brutal beating of Flores was made under duress and should be invalidated, as it allegedly infringed upon his constitutional rights. The lawyer said he would help police re-interview van der Sloot.

The attorney says he will appeal Friday's decision to let the confession stand.

On his own behalf, van der Sloot said from his cell at the maximum-security Miguel Castro Castro prison to the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, "I was very scared and confused during the interrogations and wanted to get away. In my blind panic, I signed everything but didn't even know what it said."

However, police say their questioning of van der Sloot took place in accordance with established standards, in the presence of a prosecutor and a government-appointed attorney.

While he awaits his trial – which is expected to begin in anywhere between three to 12 months, say experts – van der Sloot stands charged with first-degree murder, along with aggravated robbery for allegedly taking more than $10,000 in gambling money from Flores.

In addition, van der Sloot still remains a person of interest in the 2005 disappearance of American student Natalee Holloway in Aruba.

Houston-based weatherman Jonathan Novack, and former South Florida weatherman at WSVN, predicted sunny skies on his quest for love on The Bachelorette, but ultimately found only stormy weather.

The 30-year-old, who plans to move to Los Angeles soon to find fame on television, recounted his Speedo situation, his quarrels with Craig and all his wrong moves with Ali Fedotowsky.

What went wrong?There was just not chemistry there. Whether or not that was a result of not spending enough time with her, I’m not sure. If we had had more time, maybe there would have been.

You seemed very nervous whenever Ali was around. Think that contributed?I was just having a great time going out on dates with Ali and getting to know the guys. The most nerve-wracking parts were the rose ceremonies. They were stressful for everybody. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve.

What about the awkward video kiss?It was the scene. It was acting. I’m trying to get into the character which I was told needed to be emotional [because] I kiss her, she gets upset and runs away. The guys were impressed I could bring tears on cue. I said, “If you don’t want to do this, let me know.” She never told me. I went in for the kiss; she avoided it. She turned her head. Then the next few takes, the music came on, it got emotional and she finally went in for the kiss.

What about your wardrobe for the calendar shoot?I ended up looking pretty good in the Speedo. I was pleasantly surprised. Ask any guy [to wear one] and they’re going to be hesitant. What really came across was I kept asking for a wardrobe change and it was hard to find out who I should be speaking to and it dragged out. I started getting annoyed.

Talk about your nemesis, Craig M.He wouldn’t be the guy you’d want your daughter to date. I defended myself pretty well. I’d knock him down with a great comeback and everybody would laugh. But when he almost started a fistfight with Jesse and producers had to keep pulling Craig away all night. It was starting to get out of hand and somebody needed to say something.

Were you concerned about being labeled a tattletale?Ali brought out that box the first episode and wanted guys to tell her who they thought was not there for the right reasons. She made it clear she wanted to know these types of things because of her experience on The Bachelor and the things Jake didn’t see. My intentions were sincere.

Turns out the bigger jerk may have been Justin as he allegedly has a girlfriend at home.I gave Justin the benefit of the doubt for a while. I didn’t think it was a big deal that he showed a T-shirt the first night. He wasn’t treating anyone in the house badly like Craig M. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s that big of a jerk. He was his own worst enemy and [if the girlfriend thing is true], he destroyed any virtuous character traits. The guys didn’t like him and, in the end, they might have been right.

Do you think there’s a guy in the house that’s right for Ali?I was surprised at the conversation she had with Chris where she said she was a little scared to maybe open up. I think she might be able to fall in love with Roberto. Maybe Kirk. Roberto was the most stand-up, great guy — a solid dude. She seems to see that in him. Frank is a really nice guy, funny, but he was attached a little too quickly thinking she’s his girlfriend and I don’t think that’s a trait that she would look for. Roberto is more grounded.

You were already public figure. How has the reaction been to your reality TV stint?I’ve been doing the weather here for three years and don’t get recognized. I’m on one episodes of The Bachelorette and now everybody is coming up to me. Overall, it’s been positive. No milkshakes thrown at me like in the movie The Weatherman. My contract ran down at the station and people say they miss me and to come back.

How are you handling all the chatter that you’re actually gay?I haven’t heard that. They can think what they want; it’s not true. If you ask any of my friends that, they’d be laughing their asses off. I’ll never wear that white jacket again. Technically, Craig M. also wore that jacket so they can start spreading those rumors about him.

What did you take away from your Bachelorette experience?Seeing that there are great girls out there [gives] me hope that I can find somebody.

The pair filed papers under seal last week in Texas to finalize their divorce after their nearly five-year marriage crumbled amid reports of infidelity by James.

The Oscar-winning actress, 45, filed for divorce in April in Austin, where she has a home. The papers cited "discord or conflict of personalities" as the reason for the split.

Bullock's rep confirmed Monday that the divorce is now final.

The settlement was probably amicable "because there were no arguments back and forth in court or any filings," says Daryl Weinman, an Austin-based family law attorney who is not involved with the case.

Though it's unclear if the two had a prenuptial agreement, James won't be entitled to spousal support since in Texas a spouse must be married for at least 10 years to qualify for support.

The divorce helps clear the way for her to finalize the adoption of her son Louis as a single mother. The actress, who is now legally single and by law would have to wait 30 days before she can marry again, also "presumably worked out a private visitation agreement" for James's kids, Weinman says.

It looks like Dunder Mifflin may soon have to hire a new boss for its Scranton branch.

After more than half a dozen seasons on The Office, Steve Carell hints to E! News that he may not be returning to the hit NBC comedy after its seventh season wraps next year.

“I just think it’s time,” he said at the premiere of his new movie, Despicable Me, Sunday in L.A. “When I first signed on I had a contract for seven seasons, and this coming year is my seventh. I just thought it was time for my character to go.”

But Carell, 47, who plays regional manager Michael Scott on the show, says fans shouldn’t get too worried -– the show will do just fine, maybe even better than before.

“[This might] add some new life and some new energy to the show,” he says about leaving a role that earned him multiple Emmy nominations. “I certainly didn’t anticipate any hubbub over it. I didn’t see it as a huge deal.”

“[The writers],” he adds, “have incorporated so many new characters and so many new, great storylines that I have no doubt it’ll continue as strong if not stronger than ever.”

"It's all a blur, it was surreal," she says on VH1's Behind the Music: Jennifer Hudson on Monday night. "It was like I was outside of myself."

As her very public nightmare unfolded, the Oscar-winning actress says she went into seclusion.

"For almost two weeks straight . . . [I was] inside one room with just family and friends coming in and out," she says. "I prayed when I'd get up in the morning and prayed before I laid down at night."

Hudson barely addressed the murders until the 2009 Grammys, where she performed a poignant, moving rendition of "You Pulled Me Through."

"I was definitely thinking of my family when I was singing that song," she says. "I could hear my brother in my head, like, 'Jennifer, you need to kill this, you need to get up and do it.' I knew he would be disappointed if I didn't do it justice."

Today, "I feel like I've lived about three or four different lives," she says, adding that her 11-month-old son David (with her fiancé David Otunga) has helped her heal.

Little David, "reminds me of my nephew," says Hudson, and he also helps her remember her mother. "In so many ways I channel her because she was such a great mom."

Her son, she adds, "makes me feel like the most special person on earth. I want him to get the same love and the same upbringing my mother gave us."

Monday, June 28, 2010

CBS soap The Bold and the Beautiful won best drama for the second year in a row at Sunday night’s 37th annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Fellow CBS sudser As the World Turns, which taped its final episode last week, dominated acting categories, earning awards for lead drama actor (Michael Park), lead drama actress (Maura West), and supporting actress (Julie Pinson).

Meanwhile, The Ellen DeGeneres Show won its fifth award for best talk show, and Mehmet Oz took talk show host.

Here's a list of the winners:

Drama series: The Bold and The BeautifulLead actress in a drama series: Maura West, As the World TurnsLead actor in a drama series: Michael Park, As the World TurnsSupporting actress in a drama series: Julie Pinson, As the World TurnsSupporting actor in a drama series: Billy Miller, The Young and the RestlessGame show: Cash CabInformative Talk Show: The DoctorsYounger Actor in a drama series: Drew Tyler Bell, The Bold and The BeautifulYounger Actress in a drama series: Julie Berman, General HospitalEntertainment Talk Show: The Ellen DeGeneres ShowDrama series directing team: General HospitalDrama series writing team: The Bold and The BeautifulTalk show host: Mehmet Oz, The Dr. Oz ShowGame show host: Ben Bailey, Cash Cab

Heroes star Adrian Pasdar has escaped jail after pleading no contest to a misdemeanour charge of driving under the influence (DUI) following his arrest in January.

The husband of Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines was detained by cops after he was allegedly clocked driving over 90 miles-an-hour on a freeway in Los Angeles.

The actor, 44, was officially charged with DUI in February and he entered a not guilty plea during a court appearance later that month.

Pasdar pleaded no contest to one misdemeanour charge of DUI earlier this week. He was sentenced to 36 months probation and was ordered to pay $395 in fines. The star was also told to complete an alcohol education program, as well as 10 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, reports TMZ.com.

One other charge for refusing to submit a blood test was reportedly dropped.

Ryan, Tatum and Redmond O’Neal commemorated the one year anniversary of the death of Farrah Fawcett Friday by visiting the actress’ Los Angeles gravesite.

Redmond, Fawcett’s 25-year-old son, was on a day pass from a sober living facility where he is undergoing court-ordered drug rehab.

"I saw my mom’s gravesite for the first time today," Redmond said at a private gathering Friday evening to celebrate the opening of The Farrah Fawcett Foundation, founded to promote funding for alternative methods of cancer research. "I miss my mother so much. I’m glad she’s not suffering anymore. I know she’s looking down on us."

"I wish I could talk to her," Ryan said of his companion of more than 25 years. "Having Farrah gone has been very hard. It hurts. I don’t know what Redmond is going through. He is quiet about it, but he must be suffering terribly."

"Dad is an emotional man, and Farrah’s death has taken its toll on him," says Tatum, who recently reconciled with her father after years of estrangement. "But our being able to reconnect as a family is so beautiful. Farrah would be so happy that we’re all here."

Saturday, June 26, 2010

It's been a year since her death, but Ryan O'Neal says he can still hear Farrah Fawcett's voice.

The actor is still grieving for his late long-term partner -- who passed away on June 25, 2009 -- and admits he misses the Charlie's Angels star every day.

Ryan said in an interview with TV show Today: "I hear her voice, I see her silhouette. I miss her cooking. I haven’t had a good meal since she left me. It’s harder than I thought. I miss her. We all miss her.”

Ryan dated the Hollywood star -- who died aged 62 after losing a three-year battle with anal cancer -- on and off for over 20 years and they had a son, Redmond O'Neal, together.

The 69-year-old star insists Redmond is now finally getting his life back on track following his time in jail and rehab for drug offenses. Ryan said of his son: "I’m greatly relieved and gratified by his progress in the last year. We see him all the time, and he’s beautiful. His mother would be very proud of him."

The Paper Moon star is hoping once his son is released from the sober living environment he is currently required to stay at in Pasadena, California, the pair will be able to mourn Farrah's death together.

He said: "We haven’t done it together yet I know he grieves and I grieve, but we really haven’t put our heads together. We thought maybe we should take a trip and do it that way, but that hasn’t happened.”

A year has already gone by since Michael Jackson's death, and the world continues to mourn the late King of Pop. His family is still very devastated by his untimely passing, especially his kids Prince Michael I, 13, Paris, 12, and eight-year-old Prince Michael II, also known as Blanket. The kids prepared for the anniversary of their dad's death by spending time at the beach in Hawaii before venturing home for the memorial festivities.

The children were being looked after by their grandmother and Michael's mother Katherine Jackson, who is their legal guardian. Prince Michael and Blanket were seen looking cheerful and went swimming in the sea with other children yesterday, but Paris didn’t join in the ocean fun and instead chose to relax by a hotel pool.

Today, they are set to return to the Jacksons’ hometown of Gary, Indiana, where a monument is to be unveiled in Michael's honor outside the home where he grew up. After the statue has been revealed a memorial and candlelight vigil will take place ending with a rendition of the song "We Are The World."

Katherine admitted she still struggles to accept her pop star son is gone, saying: “A year has gone by but it is still just as emotional. It's very hard sometimes. I am happy that people are celebrating the anniversary because I know the world is missing and remembering him. But every day is a struggle – I miss him immensely."

Michael died on June 25, 2009 aged 50 from acute Propofol intoxication.

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has no problem being featured on the cover of Village Voice’s queer issue as long as he looks good!

And, he does.

The cover image of he and castmates Ronnie Ortiz-Magro and Vinny Guadagino appears under the headline “The Guido Ideal” but the story about them inside the issue is simply about the show’s second season.

The Situation posted photos from the shoot on his Facebook page and writes: It’s not for me to judge somebody’s sexual preference and in my opinion the SitUaTIoN looks good as hell and that is my main concern. It just so happens that The SitUaTiON has mass appeal and happily reaches a very broad audience – This is not my first cover and definitely not my last.

Mike had previously said he is flattered that gay men have crushes on him: “I’ll be honest, I like the attention.”

E! Online tracked down Guadagino for reaction to the cover and he said: “I don’t give a s–t, man. I’ve done so many photoshoots and they’re pretty much all the same. I go in there, do my thing, take my shirt off, get my hair and my make-up done and they dress me. I take the pictures and wherever they end up, they end up.”

With summer in full swing, it’s tough to imagine but back-to-school shopping will be here sooner than we think.

Happily, Madonna is giving us something to look forward to with Material Girl, the junior’s collection that the mega-star is designing with her 13-year-old daughter, Lourdes Leon (a.k.a. Lola).

The just-released sketches of the fall 2010 collection, which is set to debut on August 3rd, definitely got us excited for the adorable mix of flirty minidresses, cute accessories, skinny jeans, and on-trend jackets, which will retail for an affordable $12 to $40 exclusively at Macy’s and http://www.macys.com/.

Twilight films have been fairly tame when it comes to sex. But it sounds like Breaking Dawn will stay true to Stephenie Meyer's book, with especially racy scenes between leading lovers Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.

"You will see sex – Yes!" Breaking Dawn and Twilight screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg said at the Eclipse premiere in Los Angeles on Thursday night. "The relationship [between Pattinson's Edward and Stewart's Bella] does go all the way in the book, so in the movie, it will as well. You are going to see more skin in Breaking Dawn than you did in the other films."

But don't expect any XXX antics. "Will it be pornographic? – That, I do not know," Rosenberg said with a laugh. "I don't know if it has to be R-rated, but it has to be what the book is, which means more skin. ... I will definitely be writing more skin."

Another female contestant said goodbye on So You Think You Can Dance Thursday, and this week the curtain closed for salsa dancer Cristina Santana. With only three girls left and all six boys standing, season 7 is starting to look like a boys club, and the judges couldn’t be more excited for what the competition has to bring.

“I love male dancers unless the girls are just as strong,” Mia Michaels said after the elimination. “We have some strong girls and I want them to step it up.”

Nigel Lythgoe isn’t surprised at all by the show’s current two-to-one ratio. “How many girls have we had win? Two girls out of seven seasons,” he said. “If it’s great dancing, I don’t care. It’s always going to be a boys club unless we have an outstanding girl.”

Joining Santana in the bottom three for a second week in a row was tap dancer Melinda Sullivan and contemporary dancer Robert Roldan.

While last week’s decision to let Alexie Agdeppa go was unanimous, the judges were divided on which of the girls to let go this week, with Lythgoe pulling for Santana to stay and Michaels and Adam Shankman choosing to give Melinda another chance to find a sense of vulnerability and connect with the audience.

“We feel like Melinda grew the most last night because she did something completely out of her genre,” Michaels said of her panel-pleasing performance on Wednesday. “And she was pretty awesome. Other than that dress.” When it came down to making their final decision the judges took everything from the opening number to the individual solos into consideration and both Shankman and Michaels agreed that Santana wasn’t as strong as Sullivan in comparison.

Lythgoe, however, couldn’t have disagreed more. After giving Santana high praise for her paso doble and calling it his favorite performance of the night, he wanted to see more from her throughout the competition. “I think she’s grown across the season,” he said. “And I thought she was fabulous last night.”

While Santana couldn’t deny that Lythgoe’s compliments were flattering, she wasn’t completely surprised she was in the bottom for a second consecutive week. “Anything can happen on this show,” she stated in a recent interview. “I wasn’t expecting not to be in the bottom three. I’m actually pretty happy with what I’ve done, but it’s sad to go home.”

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Joran van der Sloot has filed a complaint of misconduct against Peruvian police officials, claiming he was wrongfully arrested and not given a translator when he was questioned for the murder of Stephany Flores, according to local reports.

In the complaint, the Dutch national, 22, says his June 3 arrest in Chile was executed without a proper warrant. He also claims he was confused during the interrogation because authorities did not provide an official translator, El Comercio reports.

"All this with the intention of pressuring me to accuse me of homicide," he said, according to a document obtained by Peruvian news program 24 Hours.

Van der Sloot recently retracted his confession, telling a Dutch newspaper he was "very scared and confused during the interrogations."

During the prison cell interview, he claims he only admitted to killing Flores, a business student, because police intimidated him and promised he would be transferred back to the Netherlands.

According to police, Flores was murdered on May 30 – five years to the day U.S. teen Natalee Holloway disappeared in Aruba. Van der Sloot was arrested twice but never charged in that case.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Some of Broadway’s biggest stars played some “Strip-opoly” in New York City Sunday night to raise money for a good cause. Lucky for us!

Broadway Bares XX: "Strip-opoly" featured over 200 of New York's sexiest dancers at Broadway's hottest night in an event produced by and benefitting Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. It was held Sunday, June 20th at Roseland Ballroom. Broadway Bares XX: "Strip-opoly" was produced by and benefits Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS.

The event was produced by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Executive Produced by Tony Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Love Never Dies, Catch Me If You Can, Legally Blonde), and was directed by Josh Rhodes (The Drowsy Chaperone, Fosse).

The first Broadway Bares in 1992 featured seven dancers stripping at Splash bar and raised over $8,000. Since then, the 19 subsequent editions of Broadway Bares have collectively raised over $6 million to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and grown to a full-fledged production featuring over 200 of Broadway's sexiest dancers.At this year's performance, Tony winner Alan Cumming kept most of his clothes on but got into the spirit of things with a dazzling look. Wearing next to nothing was Broadway’s best bod Nick Adams currently appearing in La Cage aux Folles.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised over $175 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors' Fund - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, The Dancers' Resource and three supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards annual grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide.

There’s a good chance that Tuc Watkins will be getting more screen time when Desperate Housewives returns for its seventh season in the fall.

Tuc, so wonderfully delicious all these years as David Vickers on One Life to Live, has played the recurring role of Bob Harper on Desperate Housewives on 2007. Bob has been one-half of the gay couple on Wisteria Lane married to Lee (Kevin Rahm) who left Bob at the end of last season.

Not sure of Kevin will be back but I’m damned glad Tuc will and, hopefully, will get the kinds of storylines he is so capable of doing.

I’d like to suggest that Bob and Andrew Van de Kamp get together! It was rumored a few seasons back but did not happen. I think Tuc and the talented Shawn Pyfrom could be very fun together.

Tuc is currently juggling an off-Broadway play with his role on the daytime soap. AfterElton’s Gays of Our Lives column reports that he will reportedly exit the soap in mid-July and report to the set of Desperate Housewives.

Not too long after Zac Efron dropped out of new version of Footloose last year, it was announced that the lead role would be played by Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford.

Then director Kenny Ortega dropped out and eventually so did Chace who is not really known for his dancing.

But the project lives on!

It’s just been announced that newcomer Kenny Wormald has emerged from a nationwide search to land the role of Ren McCormack, a part that made Kevin Bacon into a big star in the original film nearly 30 years ago.

Kenny joins the already cast Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid and Miles Teller. He is a Boston native who appeared in the MTV series Dancelife and recently toured with Justin Timberlake.

Paramount has set April 1, 2011 for the film’s release with production set to begin in August. Craig Brewer is now the director of the project.

On the heels of Justin Bieber‘s massive success, the talent show announced it will lower its eligibility age to 15 for season 10, reports USA Today.

“A lot of young, talented people are now seeking careers and representation before they turn 16,” Idol executive producer Cecile Frot-Coutaz says. “Lowering the age limit allows us to tap into this talent pool.”

The show’s age limit was previously 16 to 28.

FOX also recently announced Idol will begin accepting online auditions via MySpace. Does that mean the show is looking for the next Greyson Chance, the 12-year-old whose video version of Lady Gaga‘s “Paparazzi” went viral?

Auditions for the next season of American Idol begin July 17 in Nashville.

When last heard from, the Times Square tourist attraction known as the Naked Cowboy had tossed his 10-gallon hat into the political ring to unseat Mayor Michael Bloomberg, only to withdraw his candidacy.

Now, the Cowboy – real name: Robert Burck, 39 – wants to rope in some potential competition, the New York Post reports. The Cowboy's target: bikini-clad Sandy Kane, who calls herself "The Naked Cowgirl" and who also appears in Times Square.

Only unlike the Cowboy, who wears only boots, a hat and tighty whities, the Cowgirl often sports a stars-and-stripes cowboy hat and matching swimsuit.

"Your use of Naked Cowgirl is essentially identical to the Naked Cowboy and is clearly in violation [of the Naked Cowboy trademark]," reads a cease-and-desist letter Burck sent the Cowgirl, says the Post. He also told the paper, "If she's going to sell stuff and make money off of it, then, yeah, she's going to have to pay."

Burck is reportedly seeking as much as $150,000, though his manager, Todd Rubenstein, says their side is willing to negotiate a deal.

Only Kane, said to be 50-ish and from New Jersey, ain't willin' to wheel and deal. "I've been naked for years," points out Kane, a veteran of New York's comedy circuit who generated some heat after closing her act by setting her breasts on fire.

"You know how much money I make?" she tells the paper. "Two dollars a picture. I'm not selling any products."

Kane also notes that, before this duel, she and Burck were set to perform a duet, which apparently fell apart when he asked her to sign a franchise contract. "The song ain't going anywhere anyways," Kane insists. "It's not like he's Tim McGraw or Keith Urban."

Continuing their "idiot" act, Princes William and Harry put their dukes up for David Beckham at a reception for FIFA officials in Johannesburg, South Africa. The dapper countrymen joined forces Saturday to support England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Actor Stephen Moyer, who has starred as vampire Bill Compton in the HBO series True Blood since 2008, knew almost from the very beginning that his co-star and fiancee Anna Paquin is bisexual – something she made public fairly recently.“I’ve never been in a relationship before in which, literally within the first three days, all the cards were laid out,” he says in a new interview with Playboy. “It wasn’t something that was kept from me. I condone what she has done 100 percent, and it’s her business to talk about it, not mine. It doesn’t change anything. I’m proud of who she is.”

Sounds like a great guy.

The couple will not be lacking for work. True Blood has just been renewed for a fourth season.

Bon Temps is getting a taste of royalty this season on True Blood — or better yet, royalty is getting a taste of Bon Temps.

With the evil machinations of Maryann coming to a gruesome and goring end in the season 2 finale, the role of outright evildoer was left glaringly vacant.

Despite all the fang-flashing and glowering (mixed with a generous amount of carnal blood-sucking) they are prone to, the blood-lusters of Bon Temps can’t seem to shake that annoying habit called humanity.

In fact, Godric — the oldest and most powerful vampire that viewers had been introduced to — seemed to have come full circle, showing more compassion and understanding than most of the human characters and ultimately choosing to sacrifice himself in the name of human-vampire relations.

Well, there’s a new King in town, and his name is Russell Edgington, the Vampire King of Mississippi, and it’s safe to say that he is no Godric.

“I have plans,” actor Denis O’Hare says of his character. “I am 2,800 years old and I am the oldest and the strongest vampire.”

And when the oldest, strongest vampire in the land says that he has “plans,” think bloody redecorating on a global scale with the human race as throw pillows.

“Russell intends to take over the world,” O’Hare said. “He feels that human beings have squandered their stewardship of the earth by not treating it well. And he is an old Celt, a Druid, who was an earth-worshipper, and he feels like he needs to take over.”

The reign of terror is really more of a reign in response to human error, but according to O’Hare, Russell isn’t all doom and gloom.

“I have a boyfriend on the show,” the actor says. “Talbot — he’s a beautiful Greek man and we’ve been together 700 years.”

While it’s safe to say that none of us will ever know what it is to feel the 700-year itch, O’Hare was kind enough to let us in on the secrets to keeping a relationship together for nearly a millennium.

“When you get to be 2,800 years old, you’ve seen it all, you’ve tried all of the positions. Nothing surprises you because you’ve tasted everything,” O’Hare says with a laugh. “A marriage at that point is more than just sex. It’s about supporting each other and mutual interests. It’s about telling the truth even when it hurts. It’s about sharing a willing live human!”

After providing chilling details of Stephany Flores's final moments, Joran van der Sloot is now reportedly retracting his confession and claims he was tricked by investigators.

"I was very scared and confused during the interrogations and wanted to get away," he said during a prison cell interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "In my blind panic, I signed everything but didn't even know what it said."

The Dutchman, 22, said he only admitted to killing Flores May 30th – five years to the day Natalee Holloway disappeared in Aruba – because police intimidated him and promised he would be transferred back to the Netherlands if he confessed.

Meanwhile, his mother, Anita van der Sloot, broke her silence, granting her first interview in years to the same Dutch newspaper.

"He is not a monster," Anita tells De Telegraaf. "He's sick in the head but wanted no help."

In the interview, Anita also reveals that Joran was to be committed to a psychiatric hospital just two days before he fled for Peru, where he has been charged with Flores's murder. Anita says Joran had "nothing to do with the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in 2005." But, she adds, "Stephany, he may have killed."

Anita says she and her husband, who passed away of a heart attack in February, made a mistake by allowing a "traumatized" Joran the opportunity to study in the Netherlands following the Holloway case. "He already needed psychiatric help back then," she says. Since then, her son's life spiraled downward quickly.

Anita says Joran told many lies, struggled with an addiction to poker and experienced severe pychological stress following his father's death from a heart attack, for which he blamed himself. Though she stood by his side during his two arrests tied to Holloway's disappearance, she concludes: "I will not visit him in his cell ... I cannot embrace him ... I believed Joran, despite his many lies."

Since soccer powerhouse David Beckham has been out of commission for the 2010 World Cup, a fairly new face (and abs) of soccer has emerged. It's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Both Beckham and Ronaldo made their soccer debuts playing for England's premier club team, Manchester United, and eventually took their talent to Real Madrid. Besides those impressive kicks what do these two have in common? Turns out a lot. Here are the five reasons why Ronaldo makes a perfect substitution for Becks.

1. They've both bared it allFor fashion, that is. When Beckham decided not to renew his contract as an underwear model for Emporio Armani, the fashion house found the perfect successor in Ronaldo. At 24, Ronaldo was more than happy to strip down and show off those abs – he does 3,000 crunches a day – proving that he has moves more places than a soccer field.

2. They both like to make a grand entranceBeckham ditched the red and white of Manchester United glory in 2006 to join the ranks of Real Madrid. Ronaldo made the same switch in 2009 with the same amount of fan frenzy. Manchester and Madrid have only ever publicly fought over these two players, but fans and teammates rejoiced when both players were confirmed Real Madrid footballers. Captain Raul Gonzalez even said, "I was as excited when Beckham started to play with us as I am with the arrival of Cristiano."

3. They like to set records, off the fieldWhile these footballers have done their fair share of (soccer) club hopping, it hasn't been without lucrative benefits. Beckham's 2007 L.A. Galaxy deal cost the team $250 million, over the span of five years, and forced MLS to change its salary caps. Likewise, Manchester United sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a whopping $131.5 million, the highest transfer fee ever paid in competitive soccer.

4. Beautiful women come flockingPosh and Becks have become the hottest couple to watch since their wedding almost 10 years ago, and Ronaldo's also spent a fair amount of time in the company of glamorous women. Even though he's never officially called any particular lucky lady his "girlfriend," he's been linked to everyone from Kim Kardashian to Paris Hilton and has recently been spotted getting cozy with supermodel Irina Shayk.

5. Lucky Number SevenNot to mention Portugal scored SEVEN goals in their World Cup game against North Korea Monday, but the Manchester United Shirt Number 7 is reserved for the team's finest, so it's no surprise that both Beckham and Ronaldo had the honor of wearing it. The fascination with the lucky number doesn't end there though, Beckham has VII tattooed on his body, a DB7 clothing line and has even been seen lining up at the number seven line at the grocery store. Ronaldo reportedly has CR7 inscribed on furniture in his house and has matching seven-shaped tables and jewelry.

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